Handling device, especially for positioning a test head on a testing device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a handling device, especially for positioning a test head ( 40 ) on a testing device, comprising a holder ( 30 ) for a test head ( 30 ) and a column ( 10 ). Positioning means (20) which are adjustable in a vertical direction are connected to the test head ( 40 ) on said column ( 10 ). The inventive handling device has a simple and compact structure and is characterized by an exactly reproducible, smooth movement of the test head ( 40 ), the reason therefor being that the positioning means ( 20 ) are provided with at least one pair of interspaced articulated arms ( 21   a,    22   a,    22   b ) whereby one end thereof is respectively articulated on the holder ( 30 ) and the other end thereof is articulated on a carriage which can be displaced in a horizontal direction. The a arms ( 21   a,    22   a,    22   b ) can be pivotably arranged around a vertical axis. The carriages ( 23   a,    23   b ) can move independently from each other.

[0001] The present invention relates to a manipulator, particularly for positioning a test head on a device handler, comprising a holder for a test head and including a column on which the positioning means connected to the holder are arranged vertically positionable.

[0002] One such manipulator serves to exactly position a test head relative to the device handler with which, for example, electronic devices, for instance ICs or wafers are furnished so that proper functioning of the devices can be tested by the test head. To obtain a true result, the relatively heavy test head needs to be advanced as near as possible to the device handler to ensure precise docking. This requires precise and smooth positioning of the manipulator positioning the test head three dimensionally. In addition, a compact design of the manipulator is called for since handlers for IC or wafer devices generally find application in a clean or ultraclean room environment requiring an economic footprint.

[0003] A manipulator of the aforementioned kind is described in German Patent DE 40 07 011 A1. This known manipulator comprises a vertical guide column on which a positioning means is arranged height-adjustable. The positioning means comprises an extension arm for pivoting in the horizontal plane and mounting a pair of dual articulated arms. At their end facing away from the extension arm the dual articulated arms are connected to a holder serving to secure a test head.

[0004] A generic manipulator is furthermore disclosed by the German Patent DE 35 24 348 A1. On this manipulator a pair of dual articulated arms is connected at one end to a test head and~at the other end to a height-adjusting lead screw. The dual articulated arms can be locked in position by clamping screws.

[0005] Although the dual articulated arm configuration on the known manipulators permits both linear displacement and pivoting of the test head in the horizontal plane, there is the disadvantage that the motion of the dual articulated arms cannot be repeated with the necessary accuracy when translational motion is combined with rotational motion. The fact that the manipulator known from German Patent DE 40 07 011 A1 comprises an extension arm permitting rotational motion in the horizontal plane also fails to change this situation. For, the rotational motion alone fails to make it possible to displace the test head sideways, for example.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of sophisticating a manipulator of the aforementioned kind such that motion of the test head in the horizontal plane is now achievable precisely and smoothly repeatable by a simple design with an economic footprint.

[0007] To achieve this object it is provided for on a manipulator having the aforementioned features as it reads from claim 1 that the positioning means comprise at least one pair of articulated arms spaced away from each other, each hinged at their one end to the holder and at their other end to a horizontally travelling carriage, the articulated arms being pivotable about a vertical axis and each carriage being movable independently of the other on the column.

[0008] A manipulator having such a configuration exploits having discovered that precise repeatability of the movement of the test head is attained when a pair of articulated arms pivotable in the horizontal plane is coupled to horizontally travelling carriages. This results in any movement of the test head being split into translational motion of the carriages and rotational motion of the articulated arms. Assigning each kind of motion to different positioning members, namely the articulated arms, on the one hand, and the carriages, on the other, assures replication in motion of the test head. Unlike prior art, this now makes it possible to arrange a locking means for docking the test head to a device handler on the holder. For, now, having to adjust the test head relative to the holder as needed in known manipulators, is eliminated due to precise replication in positioning the test head.

[0009] The horizontally travelling carriages additionally permit smooth positioning of the test head. Since each carriage can be moved independently of the other, the translational motion of the carriages and the pivoting motion of the articulated arms can now be combined into a rotational motion of the holder and thus of the test head in the horizontal plane in thus ensuring space-saving rotation of the test head.

[0010] Advantageous aspects of the manipulator in accordance with the invention form the subject matter of the sub-claims.

[0011] Thus, it is a favorable design aspect for the column to comprise linear guides extending vertically for linear translation of a slave actuator provided with guides for the carriages. The linear guides configured like known flat or dovetail guides permit precise positioning of the slave actuator and thus of the holder for the test head vertically. By the slave actuator mounting guides configured, for example, likewise as flat or dovetail guides, vertically positioning the carriages in synchronism is assured.

[0012] It is of advantage when the slave actuator and/or the carriages and/or the articulated arms can each be locked in position to permit positioning the holder and thus the test head in sequence three-dimensionally. Locking depends on the way in which the individual actuators are activated, for example, electrically or manually. Thus it is particularly expedient for manual actuation to provide arresting levers by means of which the slave actuator, the carriages and/or the articulated arms can each be positively locked in position.

[0013] It is furthermore of advantage when the holder comprises a mount for hinge-mounting the articulated arms. Such a configuration offers the advantage of. facilitating interchanging the holder in thus enabling a variety of test heads to be secured to the manipulator without involving complicated retrofitting.

[0014] Preferably the holder is pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis on the mount to result in an additional degree of freedom for moving the test head. This is particularly condusive in conjunction with a relatively heavy weight test head. In this case, the bending of the articulated arms caused by the heavy weight loading can be compensated by a corresponding inclination of the holder relative to the mount. Precisely setting the inclination between holder and mount is assured when in a further aspect of the present invention the holder is supported by an adjustable spacer on the mount.

[0015] The number of possibilities of freely moving the test head three-dimensionally is enhanced when to advantage the holder is arranged to rotate about its longitudinal centerline on the mount. Designing this is particularly simple by interposing a pivot bearing between holder and mount. To lead away the cable assembly as usually provided on a test head so that it is not damaged by kinking, experience has shown it to be particularly of advantage to provide the holder and mount with a through-passage which in addition contributes to a compact configuration in passing the cable assembly centrally through the holder.

[0016] In accordance with another particularly advantageous further embodiment of the manipulator in accordance with the invention the column comprises two upright posts spaced away from each other, each mounting at least one linear guide, the slave actuator clasping two opposing outer faces of the upright posts. Comprising the column as two upright posts makes it possible to route the cable assembly of the test head between the upright posts safe from being kinked. In addition, this enables a comparatively small spacing between holder and column to be achieved, resulting in not only a compact, but also a rugged configuration for handling the usually relatively very heavy test head. By providing each of the two upright posts with linear guides for the slave actuator, the flow of the forces is evenly divided by the two upright posts. Apart from this, providing for the slave actuator clasping two opposing outer faces of the upright posts ensures up and down travel in synchronism of the slave actuator along the two upright posts.

[0017] Preferably, the column is secured to a rotational plate to attain an additional vertical rotational motion. Such a rotational motion is required especially when the test head needs to be positioned between several device handlers or parked in a position for servicing. As an alternative or in addition thereto, the column may also be guided on rails to expedite travelling the manipulator between two positions.

[0018] In conclusion, in yet another advantageous further embodiment of the manipulator in accordance with the invention a counterweight assembly may be provided, comprising a counterweight connected to the slave actuator via a traction and pulley system, preferably comprising a cable, belt or chain. Such a counterweight assembly relieves the load on the articulated arms and carriages by the weight of the test head in thus contributing towards smooth, precise positioning of the test head three-dimensionally.

[0019] Further advantages of the present invention will now be detailed by the description of a preferred example embodiment with reference to the drawings showing the example embodiment mainly diagrammatically in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of a manipulator including a test head;

[0021]FIG. 2a is a front view of the manipulator as shown in FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 2b is a front view as shown in FIG. 2a, but with the test head removed;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a split rear view of the manipulator as shown in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 4a is a plan view of the manipulator as shown in FIG. 1, showing the positioning means in a first position;

[0025]FIG. 4b is a plan view as shown in FIG. 4a, showing the positioning means in a second position;

[0026]FIG. 4c is a plan view as shown in FIG. 4a, showing the positioning means in a third position;

[0027]FIG. 4d is a plan view as shown in FIG. 4a, showing the positioning means in a fourth position.

[0028] The manipulator as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 serves to position a test head 40 on a device handler (not shown) for example for ICs or wafers. For this purpose, the manipulator comprises a column 10 composed of two upright posts 11a and 11 b spaced away from each other. The column 10 is arranged on a rotational plate 50 which is secured to a bedplate 60. By means of the rotational plate 50 the column 10 is rotatable about its vertical axis. Depending on the particular application, the rotational plate 50 may also be additionally guided on rails secured to the bedplate 60 to ensure maximum possible positioning of the column 10 in its entirety.

[0029] Arranged on each upright post 11 a, 11 b of the column 10 is a linear guide 12 a, 12 b respectively by means of which a slave actuator 13 clasping two opposing outer faces 15 a, 15 b of the upright posts 11 a, 11 b can be travelled along the column 10 vertically. In this arrangement, the slave actuator 13 may be powered manually, hydraulically and/or pneumatically or electrically. In the latter case, the linear guides 12 a, 12 b are expediently components of a linear motor. By means of an arresting lever 16a the slave actuator 13 can be locked in each position.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated in particular how positioning means 20 are arranged on the slave actuator 13 for travelling in the horizontal plane. The positioning means 20 comprise articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b disposed in pairs one above the other. Each of the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b is hinged at one end to a mount 31 and connected by its other end to the carriages 23 a, 23b. Assigned to the carriages 23 a, 23b are guides 14 a, 14 b by means of which the carriages 23 a, 23b can be travelled horizontally. The guides 14 a, 14 b configured as linear guides are arranged on the slave actuator 13 for travelling each independently of the other. The carriages 23 a, 23 b may be powered by known ways and means manually, pneumatically and/or hydraulically or electrically. When powered electrically the guides 14 a, 14 b and the carriages 23 a, 23 b are expediently components of a linear motor. In this case it is good practice in a kinematic inverse assembly to arrange the carriages 23 a, 23 b on the slave actuator 13 and to connect the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b to the ends of the guides 14 a, 14 b. Each of the carriages 23 a, 23 b can be locked in position by an arresting lever 26 a.

[0031] Each of the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b arranged pivotable about a vertical axis on the carriages 23 a, 23 b and the mount 31 can be likewise locked in position. For this purpose at least one clamping plate 24 a is provided on which an arresting lever 25 a preferably configured as an eccentric gear is arranged and which locates the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b positively connected.

[0032] At its upper end the mount 31 comprises a horizontally extending transverse axis 32 on which pivot arms 36 a, 36 b connected to the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b are hinged. Arranged at each lower end of the pivot arms 36 a, 36 b is an adjustable spacer 33 a for precisely setting the inclination of the pivot arms 36 a, 36 b relative to a holder 30 secured to the mount 31 for the test head 40.

[0033] The holder 30 is arranged by means of pivot bearing 35 on the side of the mount 31 opposite the pivot arms 36 a, 36 b. The pivot bearing 35 permits rotation of the substantially bifurcated holder 30 about its longitudinal centerline extending in the y direction. In addition, the test head 40 is arranged on the holder 30 for pivoting about an axis of rotation 41 extending horizontally in the y direction so that a face 42 of the test head 40 is able to assume any position three-dimensionally. The holder 30 and the mount 31 are provided with a through-passage 34, as is particularly evident from FIG. 2b. The through-passage 34 serves to receive the cable assembly of the test head 40 for leading it out between the upright posts 11 a, 11 b.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated in particular how the slave actuator 13 is connected to a counterweight 73 by a belt 72 guided over a pulley 71 at the upper end of the column 10. The counterweight assembly 70 formed in this way serves to compensate the load on the positioning means 20 caused by the, as a rule, relatively heavy weight of the test head 40 by known ways and means. To make for balanced loading, the counterweight 73 is split in two parts, each of which moves within the upright posts 11 a, 11 b.

[0035] The manipulator as described above is characterized by precise repeatability in smooth motion of the test head 40. The reason for this is the ability to position the slave actuator 13 vertically in the z direction. In addition to this the test head 40 can be reproducibly positioned in the horizontal plane by the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b and carriages 23 a, 23 b. Referring now to FIGS. 4a to 4 d there are illustrated various positions of the positioning means 20. In FIG. 4a the positioning means 20 are in a home position, i.e. the carriages 23 a, 23 b are retracted on the slave actuator 13 and the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b are parked in a position parallel to the carriages 23 a, 23 b. In FIG. 4b the positioning means 20 are positioned for linear travel relative to the test head 40, i.e. the position of the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b is unchanged but the carriages 23 a, 23 b are travelled somewhat further in the y direction.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4c there is illustrated the positioning means 20 positioned so that although the test head 40 is pivoted in both the x direction and y direction, its face 42 always remains oriented parallel to the column 10. To ensure shifting of the test head 40 exclusively in the x direction, the shift in the y direction prompted by pivoting the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b can be compensated by a corresponding shift in the movement of the carriages 23 a, 23 b.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4d there is illustrated another positions of moving the test head 40 by the positioning means 20 showing the carriages 23 a, 23 b each positioned independently of the other differingly far from the home position as shown in FIG. 4a. It is in this way that the articulated arms 21 a, 22 a, 22 b are pivoted such that the test head 40 is rotated relative to its starting position as shown in FIG. 4a. In the position as shown in FIG. 4d the face 42 of the test head 40 is oriented inclined to, for instance, the side of the slave actuator 13 opposing the test head 40. Rotation of the test head 40 solely by the positioning means 20 can be combined with rotation of the column 10 by the rotational plate 50 for speedy, convenient movement of the test head 40 into any position three-dimensionally.

[0038] The manipulator as described above is characterized in addition by a simple and compact configuration. This is primarily due to splitting the column 10 into two upright posts 11 a, 11 b spaced away from each other since this now makes it possible to route the cable assembly of the test head 40 through the through-passage 34 without kinking between the two upright posts 11 a, 11 b. The spacing of the upright posts 11 a, 11 b from each other is expediently selected as a function of the thickness of the cable assembly. It is in addition useful to arrange the upright posts 11 a, 11 b symmetrically on the rotational plate 50 for kinkless cable routing. Furthermore, the pivot arms 36 of the mount 31 permit precise orientation of the holder 30 relative to the positioning means 20 which due to the relatively heavy weight of the test head 40 in general are subjected to quite considerable flexural loading. Last but not least, providing the counterweight assembly 70 makes for comparatively smooth positioning of the positioning means 20.

List of Reference Numerals

[0039]10 column

[0040]11 a upright post

[0041]11 b upright post

[0042]12 a linear guide

[0043]12 b linear guide

[0044]13 slave actuator

[0045]14 a guide

[0046]14 b guide

[0047]15 a outer face

[0048]15 b outer face

[0049]16 a arresting lever

[0050]20 positioning means

[0051]21 a articulated arm

[0052]22 a articulated arm

[0053]22 b articulated arm

[0054]23 a carriage

[0055]23 b carriage

[0056]24 a clamping plate

[0057]25 a arresting lever

[0058]26 a arresting lever

[0059]30 holder

[0060]31 mount

[0061]32 transverse axis

[0062]33 a spacer

[0063]34 through-passage

[0064]35 pivot bearing

[0065]36 a pivot arm

[0066]36 b pivot arm

[0067]40 test head

[0068]41 axis of rotation

[0069]42 surface

[0070]50 rotational plate

[0071]60 bedplate

[0072]70 counterweight assembly

[0073]71 pulley

[0074]72 belt

[0075]73 counterweight

[0076] x coordinate

[0077] y coordinate

[0078] z coordinate 

1. A manipulator, for positioning a test head on a device handler, said manipulator comprising: a holder for a test head and a column on which positioning means connected to said holder is arranged vertically positionable, said positioning means comprising at least one pair of articulated arms which are spaced away from each other, and pivotable about a vertical axis, said articulated arms having a first end and a second end; each of said articulated arms hinged at said first end to said holder and at their said second end to a horizontally traveling carriage, each said carriage being arranged movable independently of each other said carriage on said column.
 2. The manipulator as set forth in claim 1, comprising more than one said carriage, wherein said column comprises linear guides extending vertically for linear translation of a slave actuator provided with guides for said carriages.
 3. The manipulator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said slave actuator and/or said carriages and/or said articulated arms are each lockable in position.
 4. The manipulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said holder comprises a mount for hinge-mounting said articulated arms.
 5. The manipulator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said holder is pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis on said mount.
 6. The manipulator as set forth in claim 5, wherein said holder is supported by an adjustable spacer on said mount.
 7. The manipulator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said holder has a longitudinal centerline and is arranged to rotate about said longitudinal centerline on said mount.
 8. The manipulator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said holder and said mount are provided with a through-passage.
 9. The manipulator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said column comprises two upright posts spaced away from each other, each mounting at least one linear guide, said slave actuator clasping two opposing outer faces of said upright posts.
 10. The manipulator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said column is secured to a rotational plate.
 11. The manipulator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said column is guided on rails.
 12. The manipulator as set forth in claim 2, wherein a counterweight assembly is provided, comprising a counterweight connected to said slave actuator via a pulley and traction means.
 13. The manipulator as set forth in claim 2, wherein a counterweight assembly is provided, comprising a counterweight connected to said slave actuator via a pulley and a cable, belt or chain. 